Why Do Cats Drink Out of the Toilet?

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Why Do Cats Drink Out of the Toilet?

It’s a common sight for cat owners: their feline friend perched on the edge of the toilet, lapping up water from the bowl. While this behavior may be gross to us, it’s actually quite normal for cats. There are a number of reasons why cats might drink out of the toilet, including:

  • Convenience: Toilets are typically located in convenient places for cats, often right next to their food and litter boxes.
  • Freshness: Cats prefer to drink fresh water, and they may see the toilet as a source of clean, running water.
  • Taste: The chlorine in tap water can give it a slightly salty taste that cats find appealing.
  • Thirst: Cats who are dehydrated may be more likely to drink out of the toilet in order to quench their thirst.

If you’re concerned about your cat drinking out of the toilet, there are a few things you can do to discourage the behavior. First, make sure that your cat has access to fresh water at all times. You can also try placing a water fountain in your home, as cats often prefer to drink from moving water. Finally, you can try covering the toilet bowl with a lid or screen to make it less accessible to your cat.

While drinking out of the toilet is generally harmless, it can be a source of bacteria and parasites. If you’re concerned about your cat’s health, talk to your veterinarian.

Why Do Cats Drink Out Of The Toilet?

| Reason | Explanation |
|—|—|
| Curiosity | Cats are naturally curious creatures and may be drawn to the sound of running water from the toilet. They may also be curious about the taste of the water in the toilet, which may be different from the water in their bowl. |
| Thirst | If a cat is thirsty, they may drink from the toilet if they do not have access to fresh water from another source. This is especially likely if the toilet bowl is filled with clean water. |
| Instinct | Some cats may drink from the toilet because they are instinctively drawn to water that is flowing. This is because in the wild, cats would often drink from streams or other bodies of water that were flowing. |

It is not uncommon for cats to drink out of the toilet. While this behavior may be gross to humans, it is actually quite normal for cats. There are a number of reasons why cats may drink out of the toilet, including biological and environmental factors.

In this article, we will discuss the reasons why cats drink out of the toilet, as well as what you can do to discourage this behavior.

Biological Reasons

There are a number of biological reasons why cats may drink out of the toilet.

  • Cats are attracted to the smell of water in the toilet bowl. The smell of urine and feces in the toilet bowl can attract cats, as they are attracted to the scent of their own urine. Additionally, the smell of cleaning products used to clean the toilet bowl can also attract cats.
  • Cats may be drawn to the cool water in the toilet bowl. Cats prefer to drink water that is cool and fresh. The water in the toilet bowl is often cooler than the water in a cat’s water bowl, which can make it more appealing to drink.
  • Cats may be trying to avoid drinking stagnant water from their water bowl. If a cat’s water bowl is not clean or is not changed frequently, the water can become stagnant and stale. This can make the water less appealing to drink, and may lead a cat to drink out of the toilet instead.

Environmental Reasons

In addition to biological reasons, there are also a number of environmental reasons why cats may drink out of the toilet.

  • Cats may be drinking out of the toilet because their water bowl is not clean or accessible. If a cat’s water bowl is not clean or is not located in a convenient spot, the cat may decide to drink out of the toilet instead. It is important to make sure that your cat’s water bowl is clean and fresh, and that it is located in a place where the cat can easily access it.
  • Cats may be drinking out of the toilet because they are stressed or anxious. Cats may drink out of the toilet as a way to cope with stress or anxiety. If your cat is experiencing stress or anxiety, there are a number of things you can do to help them feel more relaxed, such as providing them with a safe and comfortable environment, playing with them regularly, and giving them plenty of attention.
  • Cats may be drinking out of the toilet because they are bored. Cats are naturally curious creatures, and they may drink out of the toilet as a way to entertain themselves. If your cat is bored, there are a number of things you can do to keep them entertained, such as providing them with toys, playing with them regularly, and giving them access to cat trees or other high places.

There are a number of reasons why cats may drink out of the toilet. While this behavior may be gross to humans, it is actually quite normal for cats. If you are concerned about your cat drinking out of the toilet, there are a number of things you can do to discourage this behavior, such as making sure that your cat’s water bowl is clean and accessible, providing them with a safe and comfortable environment, and playing with them regularly.

Biological Reasons

Cats are attracted to the smell of water in the toilet bowl. The smell of urine and feces in the toilet bowl can attract cats, as they are attracted to the scent of their own urine. Additionally, the smell of cleaning products used to clean the toilet bowl can also attract cats.

Cats may be drawn to the cool water in the toilet bowl. Cats prefer to drink water that is cool and fresh. The water in the toilet bowl is often cooler than the water in a cat’s water bowl, which can make it more appealing to drink.

Cats may be trying to avoid drinking stagnant water from their water bowl. If a cat’s water bowl is not clean or is not changed frequently, the water can become stagnant and stale. This can make the water less appealing to drink, and may lead a cat to drink out of the toilet instead.

Environmental Reasons

Cats may be drinking out of the toilet because their water bowl is not clean or accessible. If a cat’s water bowl is not clean or is not located in a convenient spot, the cat may decide to drink out of the toilet instead. It is important to make sure that your cat’s water bowl is clean and fresh, and that it is located in a place where the cat can easily access it.

Cats may be drinking out of the toilet because they are stressed or anxious. Cats may drink out of the toilet as a way to cope with stress or anxiety. If your cat is experiencing stress or anxiety, there are a number of things you can do to help them feel more

Why Do Cats Drink Out Of The Toilet?

There are a few reasons why cats might drink out of the toilet. Some of these reasons are behavioral, while others are medical.

Behavioral Reasons

  • Convenience: Cats are naturally attracted to water, and they may see the toilet as a convenient source of water. The toilet bowl is usually clean and fresh, and it’s often located in a central location in the home, making it easy for cats to access.
  • Thirst: Cats may be drinking out of the toilet because they are thirsty. If your cat doesn’t have access to fresh water, they may resort to drinking from the toilet.
  • Boredom: Cats are curious creatures, and they may be drinking out of the toilet out of boredom. They may find the sound of running water to be stimulating, or they may enjoy the feeling of the water on their whiskers.
  • Attention-seeking: Cats may be drinking out of the toilet to get attention from their owners. They may know that their owners will react if they see them drinking from the toilet, and they may do it for the attention.

Medical Reasons

  • Medical conditions: Cats may be drinking out of the toilet because they have a medical condition that is causing them to be thirsty. Some medical conditions that can cause increased thirst in cats include diabetes, kidney disease, and hyperthyroidism.
  • Urinary tract infections: Cats with urinary tract infections may drink out of the toilet because they are trying to flush out the bacteria that is causing the infection.
  • Diabetes: Cats with diabetes may drink out of the toilet because they are trying to flush out the excess sugar in their urine.

How to Stop Your Cat From Drinking Out Of The Toilet

If you’re concerned about your cat drinking out of the toilet, there are a few things you can do to stop them.

  • Keep the toilet lid closed. This is the simplest and most effective way to prevent your cat from drinking out of the toilet. If your cat is able to get the lid open, you can try using a childproof toilet lock.
  • Provide your cat with a clean, fresh water bowl. Make sure your cat’s water bowl is always full of fresh water. Cats are more likely to drink from a clean, fresh water source than they are to drink from the toilet.
  • Make sure your cat’s water bowl is accessible and in a location where your cat feels comfortable drinking from it. Some cats don’t like to drink from water bowls that are too close to their food bowls. Try placing your cat’s water bowl in a different location in the home and see if that helps.
  • If you think your cat may be drinking out of the toilet because of a medical condition, take them to the vet for a checkup. Your vet can rule out any medical conditions that could be causing your cat to drink excessively.

If you’re concerned about your cat drinking out of the toilet, there are a few things you can do to stop them. By keeping the toilet lid closed, providing your cat with a clean, fresh water bowl, and making sure your cat’s water bowl is accessible, you can help prevent your cat from developing a habit of drinking out of the toilet.

Why do cats drink out of the toilet?

There are a few reasons why cats might drink out of the toilet.

  • Convenience: Toilets are usually located in convenient places for cats to access, and they provide a fresh source of water.
  • Taste: Some cats prefer the taste of toilet water to tap water. This may be because toilet water contains more minerals and nutrients, or because it is cooler and fresher.
  • Thirst: Cats who are not getting enough water from their food or other sources may drink out of the toilet to quench their thirst.
  • Medical conditions: Some medical conditions, such as kidney disease or diabetes, can cause cats to drink more water than usual. This increased thirst can lead cats to drink out of the toilet if they do not have access to another source of water.

Is it bad for cats to drink out of the toilet?

It is generally not recommended for cats to drink out of the toilet, as there are a number of potential risks associated with doing so.

  • Contaminated water: Toilet water can contain harmful bacteria, viruses, and parasites that can make cats sick.
  • Chemicals: Toilet cleaners and other chemicals used in the bathroom can also be harmful to cats if ingested.
  • Accidents: Cats who drink out of the toilet may accidentally fall in and drown.

How can I stop my cat from drinking out of the toilet?

There are a few things you can do to discourage your cat from drinking out of the toilet.

  • Make sure your cat has access to fresh, clean water at all times. Place multiple water bowls around the house, and make sure they are clean and full of fresh water.
  • Keep the toilet lid closed. This will make it more difficult for your cat to access the toilet water.
  • Use a motion-activated toilet bowl cover. These covers close the toilet bowl when they sense movement, preventing your cat from drinking from the toilet.
  • Teach your cat to stay away from the toilet. You can do this by spraying the toilet with a deterrent spray, or by using a water pistol to squirt your cat when it approaches the toilet.

What if my cat is still drinking out of the toilet?

If your cat is still drinking out of the toilet despite your efforts to discourage it, you should talk to your veterinarian. There may be an underlying medical condition that is causing your cat to drink excessively.

Additional tips:**

  • If you have to leave your cat alone for long periods of time, consider getting a pet water fountain. This will provide your cat with a continuous source of fresh water, and it may be more appealing to your cat than a still water bowl.
  • If you are concerned about your cat’s water intake, talk to your veterinarian. They can help you determine if your cat is drinking too much or too little water, and they can recommend ways to encourage your cat to drink more water.

there are many reasons why cats might drink out of the toilet. Some of these reasons are medical, while others are behavioral. It is important to rule out any medical causes before trying to address the behavioral issues. If you are concerned about your cat’s toilet drinking, it is best to talk to your veterinarian.

Here are some key takeaways from this article:

  • Cats drink out of the toilet for a variety of reasons, including:
  • Curiosity
  • Thirst
  • A preference for the taste of toilet water
  • A medical condition
  • If you are concerned about your cat’s toilet drinking, it is best to talk to your veterinarian.
  • You can discourage your cat from drinking out of the toilet by:
  • Keeping the toilet lid closed
  • Providing your cat with fresh water in a clean bowl
  • Using a motion-activated water fountain
  • Diluting the toilet water with vinegar or lemon juice

Author Profile

Liana Farrell
Liana Farrell
Liana Farrell is the owner of toiletty.com. She is a mom of two and is very passionate about home improvement.

Liana has ten years of home improvement experience, and in her own words, she said: “I love improving the home, and I’m very passionate about keeping the home in the best possible condition. I love it!”

Liana Farrell balances beauty and functionality when she goes about her home improvement jobs.